Subeck Sponsors Bills To Help Those On Food Assistance Make Better Nutritional Choices

A Madison Democrat is seeking support for two bills designed to get people on public assistance to eat better.

Last week, a public hearing was held on a Republican bill that limits what people on FoodShare can buy. The bill requires two-thirds of purchases be healthy foods approved for the Women Infants and Children or WIC program.

Rep. Lisa Subeck, D-Madison, is opposed to the plan.

“It’s pretty clear to me that we are taking the wrong approach, and that if our goal is to improve nutritional outcomes and access to good, high-quality food, there’s a better approach,” said Subeck.

Subeck is sponsoring two proposals. The first allows those on FoodShare to take nutrition classes instead of employment training. The second would create a tax credit for grocery stores to operate in poor neighborhoods that are so-called food deserts.